Men's Soccer Falls at Davidson

Tuesday, October 6

Davidson, N.C.

7:00 p.m.

Duke University

Davidson

Men's Soccer Falls at Davidson

10/6/2009 9:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer

By: Duke Sports Information

DAVIDSON, N.C.-Davidson College tallied two goals in the opening five minutes and cruised to a 4-1 victory to hand ninth-ranked Duke its first non-conference loss of the season. The win is the seventh straight for the streaking Wildcats.

Duke falls to 7-3-0 overall on the year, while Davidson moves to 9-1-0 for the season.

Davidson wasted no time, getting on the board just three minutes into the game. After possessing the ball in Duke's defensive third, the Wildcats earned a corner kick. Charlie Reiter stepped and served the ball directly into the six-yard box and Brian McGue headed the ball home for the 1-0 lead.

The Wildcats quickly made it a 2-0 game when McGue dummied a pass from Garrett Bostwick. Yannick Pilgrim ran onto the pass and slipped the ball under the arms of Duke goalkeeper James Belshaw for the two-goal lead just eight minutes into the game.
Facing a two-goal deficit, the Blue Devils tried to get into a rhythm, but a hard-working Davidson squad kept Duke on its heals throughout the field.

Duke continued to fight and started to settle down in the second part of the opening frame. Getting more possession, Blue Devil right back Nick Sih drew a foul on the right flank to give Duke a free kick just 20 yards from goal. Junior Cole Grossman lined up for the service and put it on the head of senior Matthew Thomas to make it a 2-1 game with 20:23 left in the first half.

Davidson nearly went back in front by two goals again, but McGue's one-timer sailed just wide left of the net. Five minutes later, Duke's Christopher Tweed-Kent picked up the ball in the run of play and sent a half chance from 25 yards just wide left of the net.

The final eight minutes of the half was even between the two squads with Davidson taking the 2-1 lead into halftime.

After an even opening 10 minutes of the second half, Davidson capitalized on a numbers up situation. Josh Zippin got the ball in the middle and ripped a shot on goal from 25 yards. Belshaw made a great initial save, but the deflection went right to the foot of Charlie Reiter who put it past the near post for another two goal lead, 3-1 with 33:05 left to play.

Duke continued to try and get its offense going, but an organized Davidson defense kept the Blue Devils at bay. Senior Nick Sih nearly cut the lead back to one with a long shot that sailed just past the left upper 90.

The Wildcats sealed the victory with 13:51 left in the game as Pilgrim beat a Duke defender and struck the ball to the far post for the 4-1 lead.

Duke tried to cut the lead back to two in the final seven minutes, but Chip Sanders made a spectacular save to deny Sih his first goal of the season. Sih was denied again in the final two minutes when his shot hit the right post.

The Blue Devils held a 19-11 advantage in shots and a 6-3 edge in corner kicks. Belshaw finished with one save, while Sanders made two stops.

Duke starts a seven-game homestand on Oct. 9 against ACC rival N.C. State at 7 p.m.

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